It has been confirmed that Svein Tuft will ride the Tour de l'Avenir for the Mercury team. At this time, l'Avenir is the only race the BC rider will do with Mercury.

Super Mario Comes to Texas

Mario Cipollini, one of the greatest sprinters and most colorful characters in bicycle racing's 120-plus year history, will be competing in the 2001 BMC Tour of Houston, it was announced today.

The 34-year old, who rides for Italy's Saeco Macchina Per Caffe professional cycling team, has long been considered as one of the sport's fastest finishers; among his extensive list of honors are 10 stage wins in the Tour de France, 29 stages of the Giro d'Italia, and two wins in the Ghent-Wevelgem classic. Cipollini is also widely known for his flamboyant 'playboy' image and cycling fashion sense, such as donning special color-coordinated uniforms and even helping to devise a special Roman commemorative Saeco outfit.

"It has long been a dream of mine to compete in the United States", said Cipollini. "And now, finally, that dream for me will become reality!" Cipollini will be competing as part of an eight-man Saeco team that also includes faithful lietenant Mario Scirea, as well as young American Justin Spinelli.

Cipollini and his Saeco teammates will be part of a whole European contingent competing in the BMC Tour of Houston and the San Francisco Grand Prix. Other teams include Flanders Prefeterex and Dinardi Pasta Montegrappa. These riders will pit themselves against a top-notch field of U.S. riders that includes the likes of Mercury (with 2000 winner Gord Fraser) and Saturn (with current Pro Cycling Tour leader Trent Klasna).